Seven Year Tribulation Question

[RLBosley]

Act 1:11

This passage is often clung to in desperation by futurists to claim Christ will return in a physical body.

It would require pointing out the obvious to mention that this verse says nothing about Christ returning in a literal or physical body.

All you have to work with is the term “come in” so the relevant question is what is Christ coming into.

If we look at the entire series of relevant verses 9 -11

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” ESV

This scripture has nothing to do with Christ’s return. It is addressing his accession from earth and where he is ascending to—which the angels provide the answer of heaven since the apostles can’t see Christ after He is removed from their view.

Maybe it would clear up confusion here to remember the three heavens used in the bible.

1.The sky that we see as in the clouds and the atmosphere near earth.
2. The stars and outer realms of the universe.
3. Heaven as in the spiritual realm where the presence of God dwells.

Now read this by inserting the appropriate level of heaven in the passage.

And while they were gazing into heaven (1st heaven the clouds) as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? (1st heaven the clouds) This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven (1st heaven the clouds), will come in (come into the third heaven—the presence of God) the same way as you saw him go into heaven (1st heaven the clouds).”

Read this way you see the logical progression of events that is consistent with the overall passage and don’t introduce a new element (i.e. His coming back at the end of the age) that is not referenced anywhere in the entire passage of relevant verses.

This is really a simple passage often twisted into something that is not being discussed or described in the verses.

That is honestly the worst "exposition" of that scripture I've ever seen. Yes scripture indicates three locations that are all referred to as "Heaven" but there is nothing in that passage whatsoever to indicate that is what the angels were talking about. While there is nothing here that specifically mentions the second coming prior to these verses it is hinted at in verses 6 and 7 when the disciples ask if He will restore the Kingdom to Israel at this time. And Jesus basically replied by saying "Don't worry about that right now."

The phrase "come in" is a chopped up piece of the sentence. If you read it in the whole sentence it's obvious that the angel was not referring to Christ "coming in" to the third Heaven or anything such as that. But that Christ will "come (return) in the same way you saw him leave."

The NLT and NIV (though I dislike the NIV) make this plain:
"Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" NLT

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” NIV

Also, this passage wasn't spoken in a vacuum - you must remember that Christ had told His disciples before that He would go to prepare a place and would return to get them. This isn't a matter of dispy v covenant or pre v post v amill... this is simple orthodoxy to be honest.

 

[webdog]

Act 1:11

This passage is often clung to in desperation by futurists to claim Christ will return in a physical body.

It would require pointing out the obvious to mention that this verse says nothing about Christ returning in a literal or physical body.

All you have to work with is the term “come in” so the relevant question is what is Christ coming into.

If we look at the entire series of relevant verses 9 -11

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” ESV

This scripture has nothing to do with Christ’s return. It is addressing his accession from earth and where he is ascending to—which the angels provide the answer of heaven since the apostles can’t see Christ after He is removed from their view.

Maybe it would clear up confusion here to remember the three heavens used in the bible.

1.The sky that we see as in the clouds and the atmosphere near earth.
2. The stars and outer realms of the universe.
3. Heaven as in the spiritual realm where the presence of God dwells.

Now read this by inserting the appropriate level of heaven in the passage.

And while they were gazing into heaven (1st heaven the clouds) as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? (1st heaven the clouds) This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven (1st heaven the clouds), will come in (come into the third heaven—the presence of God) the same way as you saw him go into heaven (1st heaven the clouds).”

Read this way you see the logical progression of events that is consistent with the overall passage and don’t introduce a new element (i.e. His coming back at the end of the age) that is not referenced anywhere in the entire passage of relevant verses.

This is really a simple passage often twisted into something that is not being discussed or described in the verses.

That is either the worst or best spin on a passage ever attempted on the bb. The simple part of the passage is to read it the way the author intended, which is literal. Using your method, maybe Jesus never really left? Maybe He is hiding here like the Muslims believe their 12 Imam is? Maybe he was never born? You can twist the entire Word to say what you want it to say. Amillenialsim is one of, if not the biggest false doctrine taught today.

 

[MB]

Wrong. http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?p=1951463#post1951463

You totally destroy the underlying continuity of the scriptures concerning 'that generation' for the sole purpose of forcing your preunderstood/presupposed view.

Talk about cherry pickin' literalizing. I suppose you even believe there are people among us who watched Christ preach Mat 24.

Here we go again with this 'cherry pickin' literalizing. Is there a 'Dispy Bulletin' out that defines the criteria for when to literalize in Revelation? I'd like to have one if there is.

You tend to allegorize the literal and literalize what is clearly an allegory.
MB

 

[thomas15]

One observation I think most will agree on, the preterist (full or partial take your pick) do not have the abilty to restrain themselves from participating and injecting their opinions into a discussion for which they have nothing constructive to add.

So then again I state that in order to be a preterist, one must embrace reformed covenant theology. Again I ask, where does the Bible teach the backbone of covenant theology: a covenant or works, grace and or redemption? The Bible clearly and plainly states that some of the judgements in Revelation will be global and include gentiles and will result in the judgement of a significant percentage of the population. Jesus in the Olivet discourse states unless those judgements be cut short no one would survive. He compared it to the days of Noah. The preterist have no use for such plain Biblical teaching.